Check Out Train Like A Martian Challenge Videos

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The #TrainLikeAMartian Challenge is a 5-day challenge running from May 22-26, 2017. The focus is to raise awareness for the importance of STEM, space, and fitness and also to help raise funds for The Mars Generation programs including sending students who lack financial resources to Space Camp.

Check out some of the participant videos from our fitness, STEAM and biohack challenges below!

Day 1 Train Like A Martian Challenge Videos

https://twitter.com/LeftLastones/status/866862168104292352

Day 2 Train Like A Martian Challenge Videos

https://twitter.com/Lisaiz2/status/867153751790026752

https://twitter.com/johntweak/status/867123081919291392

Day 3 Train Like A Martian Challenge Videos

 

#TrainLikeAMartian in Cartoons: An Artist Shines

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Train Like A Martian space cartoonsWhile Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) fields are of vital importance to the advancement of the space industry in the United States and face their own unique set of challenges, they aren’t the only fields needed for us to get to Mars. Art is essential to success in STEM fields. It is the creative mind that figures out complex challenges like how to build a spacecraft, design a habitat, and develop food systems as well as many other challenges we have to face before we get to Mars. It is creativity combined with STEM fields that advances us as humans and allows us to continue to innovate. We often focus on STEM fields and forget that art has an important place too. Some people use the acronym STEAM instead of STEM to include art in the mix for this reason.  

One of the great things about our work at The Mars Generation is that we create a place where students can share, grow and get affirmation for their talents. This past week, 16 year-old artist Tessa McEvoy put together some great comics to promote Train Like a Martian that are worth sharing here! We also included a cartoon video Tess created about a girl name Jess, “a space cadet wanna be – but not a girly girl.” Enjoy!

 

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#TrainLikeAMartian Day 8: Speed of Light Giving

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Train Like A martian We have made it to the last day of the #TrainLikeAMartian Challenge! Thank you for joining us on this fun adventure. Whether you followed along, shared our posts, donated to our cause, joined in on the fun and took the challenge one day or all eight days  – however you participated we are thrilled to have had you on our team and we hope you will continue to be a part of our amazing community!

As you know our work is to inspire, educate and excite the next generation about STEM and space exploration. We also inspire people of all ages to dream big! Space exploration takes humans to new places, causes us to innovate and advance beyond what we currently know. This is powerful and we are committed to ensuring that the future is bright for all of us!

Pop-Up Contest

Before we get you started on your challenge we have a pop-up contest running for the best way to ask people to give to TMG – submit your photos, videos, artwork, poems  – whatever your entering just post on our #TrainLikeAMartian hashtag to have your submission reviewed. We will be giving away a TLM event t-shirt to the top submission.  Don’t forget to link to our giving page here. How is this being judged – totally subjectively – whatever entertains us and is most creative will win. Sorry we don’t know what that will be!

train like an astronaut NASA

DAY 8 Challenge: Speed of Light Giving

Today for our final day of #TrainLikeAMartian we are challenging you to work on your hand eye coordination with the Speed of Light Activity. You can find the official activity here…but we have an alternative challenge that is going to be much more fun! See how well you do exercising your financial muscles.

Practice hand / eye coordination by seeing how fast you can pull out your credit card and enter it here to donate to The Mars Generation. Give what you can all sized donations make a difference! See how you do with this and for an extra challenge you can try for round 2 and give again! Its’ really easy!

To encourage you to give today, you will not only get the great rewards we are offering – you will also have your donation doubled. That’s right – our board had provided a matching grant to double donations through the end of today.

We currently have raised 50% of our goal of $10,000. That means we need to raise $5000 in one day! Please join us and give, ask your friends to give and help us to change the world!

Your donation supports awareness events like #TrainLikeAMartian, but also our Space Camp scholarship program (we are still raising funds for our 10 scholars who are attending Space Camp this summer – so that’s where your money will go today) and we have a leadership program and our outreach program too!

When asking your friends it helps to message them privately and tell them why you support TMG, ask them to support today so their donation will be matched and ask them to help get these kids to space camp. Make sure you include the link here.

Thank you so much! We hope you have had fun with our first annual Train Like A Martian Challenge. Watch for more fun as the year progresses.

*The Mars Generation is not affiliated with NASA

*Photo credit: NASA

 

#TrainLikeAMartian Day 5 Challenge: Agility Astro-Course

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Train Like An Astronaut Agility courseWelcome to Day 4 of the #TrainLikeAMartian Challenge! This is a 7 day challenge running from April 18-24. The focus is to raise awareness for the importance of STEM, space and fitness and also to help raise funds for The Mars Generation programs including sending students who lack financial resources to Space Camp.

Please check out the rewards for donations here and make a donation today to help us reach our fundraising goal of $10,000. 

 

Day 5 Challenge:

Our focus today is to improve your agility, coordination and speed! For this challenge you setup some type of agility course – this can be done with canned food instead of cones and then test yourself to complete it!

See how you do with getting up and down and how fast you can finish your own course. Want some instruction on how to complete these activities? Click here for awesome NASA* resources from their Train Like An Astronaut program or watch the video below. NASA provides detailed guides including adaptations for all their Train Like An Astronaut program activities. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see all the different guides.

How to Win Be Entered to Win Cool Space Prizes

Complete the challenge activity or any physical activity and share photos on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram using our event hashtag #TrainLikeAMartian to be entered in our daily drawings. You can be entered multiple times:

Every photo (up to 3 photos per day) = 1 entry each photo
Every video (up to 3 videos per day) = 1 entry each video
Every post asking your followers to donate to The Mars Generation that includes both #TrainLikeAMartian and TheMarsGeneration.org/donate = 2 entries for each social media post (here is a dropbox with pre-written posts and photos to help you with creating posts)
Sign up for the Train Like A Martian Challenge here to qualify for prizes and also to receive email updates about the challenge.

Challenge your friends to join you for #TrainLikeAMartian, click here to find out how.

Find out about the cool rewards you can earn through fundraising and/or donating to The Mars Generation by clicking here.

*NASA does not endorse nor is affiliated with The Mars Generation or the Train Like A Martian Challenge.

*Photo credit NASA

#TrainLikeAMartian Day 2 Challenge: Building An Astronaut Core

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building an astronaut corps - Train Like An astronautIt’s Day 2 of the #TrainLikeAMartian Challenge! Remember this is a 7 day challenge running from April 18-24 and the focus is to raise awareness for the importance of STEM, space and fitness and also to help raise funds for The Mars Generation programs including sending students who lack financial resources to Space Camp.

Please check out the rewards for donations here and make a donation today to help us reach our fundraising goal of $10,000. 

Day 2 Challenge: Building An Astronaut Core

For today’s challenge we are focusing on building an astronaut core.

The fitness activity requires you to complete both crunches and a plank. See how you do with these activities (Can’t wait to see you all plank)! Want some instruction on how to complete these activities? Click here for awesome NASA* resources from their Train Like An Astronaut program or watch the video below.

How to Win Be Entered to Win Cool Space Prizes

Complete the challenge activity or any physical activity and share photos on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram using our event hashtag #TrainLikeAMartian to be entered in our daily drawings. You can be entered multiple times:

Every photo (up to 3 photos per day) = 1 entry each photo
Every video (up to 3 videos per day) = 1 entry each video
Every post asking your followers to donate to The Mars Generation that includes both #TrainLikeAMartian and TheMarsGeneration.org/donate = 2 entries for each social media post (here is a dropbox with pre-written posts and photos to help you with creating posts)
Sign up for the Train Like A Martian Challenge here to qualify for prizes and also to receive email updates about the challenge.

Challenge your friends to join you for #TrainLikeAMartian, click here to find out how.

Find out about the cool rewards you can earn through fundraising and/or donating to The Mars Generation by clicking here.

*NASA does not endorse nor is affiliated with The Mars Generation or the Train Like A Martian Challenge.

*Photo credit NASA

#TrainLikeAMartian Day 1 Challenge: Crew Strength Training

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train like an astronaut strength trainingIt’s Monday April 18 and day 1 of the #TrainLikeAMartian Challenge! To kick off the challenge we are starting with NASA’s* Crew Strength Training Exercises from their Train Like An Astronaut program.

The fitness activity requires you to complete both pushups and squats. See how many of each you can do! Want some instruction on how to complete these activities? Click here for awesome NASA resources from their Train Like An Astronaut program or watch the video below.

Our Train Like A Martian Challenge runs for 7 days from April 18-24, 2016. Everyday we will post a new challenge on our social media channels and right here on our blog. Complete the challenge activity or any physical activity and share photos on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram using our event hashtag #TrainLikeAMartian to be entered in our daily drawings. You can be entered multiple times:

  • Every photo  (up to 3 photos per day) = 1 entry each photo
  • Every video (up to 3 videos per day) = 1 entry each video
  • Every post asking your followers to donate to The Mars Generation that includes both #TrainLikeAMartian and TheMarsGeneration.org/donate = 2 entries for each social media post (here is a dropbox with pre-written posts and photos to help you with creating posts)

Sign up for the Train Like A Martian Challenge here to qualify for prizes and also to receive email updates about the challenge.

Challenge your friends to join you for #TrainLikeAMartian, click here to find out how.

Find out about the cool rewards you can earn through fundraising and/or donating to The Mars Generation by clicking here.

 

 

*NASA is not affiliated with The Mars Generation or our #TrainLikeAMartian Challenge

*Photo Credit: NASA

Scott Kelly A Space Pioneer Spends A Year In Space

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scott kelly year in spaceCongratulations for the safe return of NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian Cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko who just finished living for almost a full year in space! What an awe-inspiring journey, experience and adventure for these individuals. This mission took tremendous leaps in terms of research to support and propel the next generation of astronauts farther into space.

The main goal of this mission was to help determine what will come next in terms of space exploration. This research supports the dream of going to Mars: research conducted on this mission will help scientists understand the unique challenges of microgravity while living on a spacecraft and how it affects the human body. By understanding these unique circumstances, it helps us mitigate risks for future astronauts and what genetic changes may occur. Traveling to Mars and physically being on Mars will be harsh on the human body, and much of this gathered information will increase the chances of those going to the red planet to survive for a return journey home.

When I think of Astronaut Kelly and other astronauts before him, I see them as true space pioneers. Their commitment to increasing scientific knowledge, allowing scientists to study all aspects of their bodies and their years of training is something I don’t think I personally could do. But because these astronauts were willing to undertake such a huge responsibility in the space community, it is from them that we learn so much.

In terms of this latest mission, Kelly is the first American to complete a continuous year-long mission in space, although four other astronauts have spent more time in space, on the Russian Mir Space Station.

Much of the focus was on the one-year trip in space, but there was an astounding amount of work done before and after the trip, really making this mission three years in length. To truly understand the changes in the human body, numerous samples needed to be gathered before the actual trip to space. Now that Astronaut Kelly is back, new samples are needed to determine changes after the trip. Going through the information and research will take years to process and understand. But having this invaluable information will help future missions, especially when shared with international partners for collaborative work.

Other research was conducted while on this mission as well. In fact, more than 400 other experiments took place. This will help increase biomedical knowledge for human exploration, reduce costs, improve processes and procedures and improve efficiency on future space station missions. The research done up there also included many studies that will benefit all of humanity.

With so much information for scientists and researchers to go through, it may take up to six years to publish that information. That may seem like a long time, but it is just a blink of an eye in terms of time that will bring us that much closer to the possibility of going to Mars.

With with this phenomenal mission over, I think of future astronauts like Astronaut Abby. I wonder how she will benefit from research done from this mission, or how her chances of survival will have greatly increased. And when she returns to Earth from her own journey, I can only dream of what research and scientific discoveries she will endow on future astronauts.

Thank you to past, present and future astronauts – this dream of sending astronauts to Mars is now a reality before us.

Alice Higgs The Mars GenerationAbout The Author

Alice joined the TMG team because she believes in space exploration and loves all things related to STEM and space. Her work background is related to Canadian government and coordination of projects. Her free time is spent with her two daughters, traveling and learning whatever suits her interests! She is looking forward to connecting with the growing community!

#GiveToMarsDay Live Updates – #PotatoChallenge

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This is a live blog that we will be updating throughout #GiveToMarsDay. The updates will include new fundraising totals, winners announcements from our hourly drawings, and the challenges that our #PotatoChallenge crew are facing on Mars to gain water and survive for the 24-hours while we’re trying to save them by sending a rescue mission from Earth.

But to send that rescue mission we need to raise $100,000 for The Mars Generation! This is all for fun, to raise awareness of STEM & space, and provide much-needed funds for the work TMG wants to do. Support our crew by donating now, tweet them, and join them on our Facebook page to wish them well. And don’t forget to use the #PotatoChallenge and #GTMD15 hashtags. Every time you tweet using these hashtags you are automatically entered in our hourly prize drawings!

To reach a goal this big in 24 hours we need you to Give to Mars! 

 

12:00 AM Update

That’s it, everyone! Our #PotatoChallenge participants have been rescued from Mars and are on their way back to Earth!
The Mars Generation cannot thank you enough for the incredible amount of support you’ve shown us in the past 24 hours. In addition to raising funds to help support the goals we’ve set for TMG, you’ve also helped us raise awareness about the importance of STEM and human space exploration. We hope you enjoyed participating in today’s event as much as we did. If you’d like to sign-up to be a part of future events, add your name to our email list!

11:00PM Update

Only one hour to go in the #PotatoChallenge!

Prize Winner: Lina @PlanetaryGoGo

Prize: Earth Liaison Limited Edition Patch

Andrew Rader Space Adventure10:00PM Update

Prize Winner: Alice Higgs @ayhiggs

Prize: Space Adventures Kids Book by Andrew Rader

9:00PM Update

Prize Winner: Brennah @Brennah19

Prize: Autographed photo of Astronaut Abby

8:00PM Update

Are you ready for another Water Challenge? This one is going to not only earn you 6 ounces of water, but it’s going to be a lot of fun! In The Martian Mark Watney used rocks to spell out messages that NASA could read via their satellites. Spell “DONATE” using objects in your house and tweet us a pic! Don’t forget to use the #PotatoChallenge, #GivetoMarsDay, and #GTMD15 hashtags!

Prize Winner: Luke Barratt @astronaut_luke

Prize: Mars or Bust 2030 Patch

volare patch7:00PM Update

Prize Winner: James Cornthwaite @eatlikeamartian

Prize: Earth Liaison Limited Edition Patch

6:00PM Update

Prize Winner: Ruth Edick @RuthEdick

Prize: Space Adventures Kids Book by Andrew Rader

The Mars Generation T-Shirt5:ooPM Update

Prize Winner: Vicky Houle @VickiCello22

Prize: The Mars Generation T-Shirt

4:ooPM Update

Prize Winner: Ruby Taylor @RubyMayLT

Prize: Autographed photo of Astronaut Abby

TMG20303:ooPM Update

Prize Winner: Corey Maize @StormixOfficial

Prize: Mars or Bust 2030 Patch

2:ooPM Update

Time for a new Challenge! And this one will make some of our #PotatoChallenge participants very happy because the reward is CAFFEINE! We all saw how great Mark Watney was at fixing things while on Mars. Some might even call him a Martian MacGyver. Now it’s time to test out the skills of our participants in the “Fix Anything” challenge. So get out your tools and cameras and send us pics of your best repair job. Be creative! It counts. But more importantly, have fun!

Prize Winner: David Erickson @derickson

Prize: Earth Liaison Limited Edition Patch

Andrew Rader Space Adventure

1:ooPM Update

Prize Winner: Lisa Izzo @LisaIz2

Prize: Space Adventures Kids Book by Andrew Rader

12:ooPM Update

It’s time for another Water Challenge! Do “The One Arm Watney” for 6 ounces of water. In The Martian, Mark Watney’s quick thinking saved his life when his space suit helmet was punctured in an accident. To seal the hole, he cut off the sleeve of his space suit, glued it over the hole in his helmet, then sealed the hole from the missing sleeve of his suit. As a result he was forced to keep one arm inside his spacesuit while he ran back to the safety of the Hab. To pay tribute to Watney’s ingenuity, #PotatoChallenge participants must keep one arm inside their shirt or tied to their waist for either one hour or while doing a task. The task could be anything– Taking the dog for a walk, grocery shopping, eating lunch at a restaurant. Make sure you tweet a picture of yourself doing #TheOneArmWatney. Extra credit will be given for the most creative one-arm activity.

Prize Winner: Jessie Tuscano @JessieTuscano

Prize: Autographed photo of Astronaut Abby

volare patch11:00AM Update

Prize Winner: Darren Franzen @DarrenTF

Prize: Earth Liaison Limited Edition Patch

10:00AM Update

Prize Winner: Will @BillyTheBrick

Prize: Space Adventures Kids Book by Andrew Rader

9:00AM Update

Prize Winner: Jayeeta Sarkar @Siza111

Prize: Autographed photo of Astronaut Abby

8:00AM Update

TMG Launch Support T-ShirtIt’s boogy time! We are only $2900 away from breaking the $10K mark, and until we get there it’s time to party like it’s the 1970s with the Disco Challenge. Our #PotatoChallenge participants will have to listen to disco music- just like Mark Watney had to do during his time on Mars- until we reach our goal.

Prize Winner: Kristin Peterson @GrandCiel

Prize: The Mars Generation Launch Support T-Shirt

7:00AM Update

Prize Winner: Ben Sterling @BenDSterling

Prize: Mars or Bust 2030 Patch

6:00 AM Update

The Mars Generation T-ShirtWater Challenge: For 6 ounces of water release your inner Emeril! Create the most artistic presentation of your next potato dish and share a pic of it with us. Creativity is encouraged and will score extra points with our judges!

Prize Winner: Susie @SusieMUC

Prize: The Mars Generation T-Shirt

 

TMG2030

5:00 AM Update

Prize Winner: Bettina Chavanne @PRHelo

Prize: Mars or Bust 2030 Patch

 

4:00 AM UpdateAndrew Rader Space Adventure

Water Ration Earned for first $5,000 in donations

Water Challenge: For 6 ounces of water– Watney Engineering Challenge: Use whatever materials you have available and build a makeshift engineering project. The crazier the better. Once it is done tweet a photo of it and explain what it is supposed to be. Extra points for giving it a cool name!

Prize Winner: Mychele Boardman @GoddessMychele

Prize: Space Adventures Kids Book by Andrew Rader

Total Raised: $5,495

3:00 AM Update

Prize Winner: Farhana Pinki @Astro_Pinki

Prize: Space Adventures Book

2:00 AM Update

Water Challenge: For 6 ounces of water pick an event in The Martian to simulate and share a picture– Be safe!

Prize Winner: Mausonaut @Mausonaut

Prize: Autographed Astronaut Abby Photo

volare patch

1:00 AM Update

Prize Winner: Andreas Ducker @DanimathDunker

Prize: Earth Liaison Limited Edition Patch

Total Raised: $3504.00  

Only $96,496 to go!